Branded formula vs store brand

Good morning ladies, as some of you know, I have breast fed my baby for 7 months and I am ready to wean him off my breast.  He is not all that interested in nursing anymore.  I just went and bought my first can of furmula yesterday and got the Nestle Good Start soy since my freezer stash will be gone soon.  Can someone tell me the differenecs between branded and store brand formula.  It's $10.00 difference.
Thanks
Dolly

[DollChina]

So do you have to stay with one brand?

[DollChina]

Any tips on weaning your breast fed babies?

THX!

[toyml99]

you should not switch often but you can switch them.

[anxiousmomtobe?]

Check the list of ingredients, my guess is there is very little if any differance.  Often they are manufactured by the same company.  You are just paying for the brand.  

If the nutrients are comparable, I would go for the store brand.

Your thrifty (or cheap) Canadian friend.

[toyml99]

Hello
I have always used generic formula.  I cannot tell you the differece except the label.  My neighbor compared ingredients and they are the same.  I used the Target brand for the first 9 months and then switched to the Walmart generic.  I also started buying her generic baby food from Save A Lot.  I was leary but they cannot sell it if is doesn't pass inspection.  I was told when I asked that it is all the same and you are paying for a label.  Good Luck to you and save that $10.00.  I know I did!

[DollChina]

Hehe, you are funny.  I needed that.
I did check and there's little difference.  Just wanting to get you guys opinion.  
Target brand?  Parent's choice?

[mum2beagain]

Ususally the name brands are more expensive because they have to cover the extra costs of advertising, free samples, coupons etc. There is usually very little difference in the actual formulas; they all have to meet certain nutritional and safety guidelines anyhow, so you can be sure little Gavin is getting everything he needs wheter you go with brand or generic.

[toyml99]

I used the target brand gentlease because the parent's choice made her spit up alot.  However I then switched to Parent's choice because Walmart is 2 minutes down the road and Target is a half hour away.  She made the transition fine this time.  I think they are both great.

[mommy2aj]

like you i wonder about brand vs generic and even similac vs enfamil. i acked dr when ds was 1st born, she said the brand or generic version did not matter. so i used the samples i recvd and then used walmart brand. also if your baby is using milk based sams has a huge canister of formula for $20-$25, we had to use soy.

[kris123]

I have a question for you about breastfeeding, bottles, and pumping.  I am having my c-section on June 19 and plan to breastfeed, but I am going back to work in 7w and want to pump.  When do I start pumping and giving the bottle to my baby?  How often should I give the bottle to my newborn.  How often should I pump.  I am just so worried that if I breastfeed for 7w and then go back to work he won't take the bottle.  I kno

[kris123]

I know you have been working and breastfeeding.

[DollChina]

Well, congrats, you are almost there!
I started to pump when Gavin was 2-3 weeks old.  You will only get a little at first but you body will produce more the more you feed and pump.  I started to introduce him with the bottle when he was around 5-6 weeks old and he really didn't have a problem with it.  Make sure your dh or someone else feed it to him.
I went back to work when he was 8 weeks old, I would nurse in the morning, pump at work mid-morning, nurse at lunch, pump again in the mid afternoon then nurse whenever I am home.
You can do it!

[kris123]

Which bottles worked best for you?

[cutiemama]

Being tired is totally normal. I'm on Celexa but have a few family members on Zoloft.  I started taking it at the end of January and I was probably super tired for about 6 weeks.

I've also heard that there's very little difference btwn the formulas but despite the costs, I've always used Enfamil A+ (I think it's called Enfamil Lipil in the united States. I've also heard great things about Good Start.

Take care.  

[cutiemama]

I weaned my older DD at 6 months but we weren't completely weaned until she was 7 months as I took it very slow. At that time she was being nursed approx 4 tims daily and I eliminated 1 breast feed per week and replaced it with a bottle feed. I began with the two day time feeds, then the night and the last feed to go was the morning one. I'm sure it doesn't have to take a month to wean but having just recovered from mastitis, I didn't want to take any chances with clogged ducts. Good luck.

P.S. How is everything else with you? Is the zoloft kicking in yet? I hope you're feeling better.

[kris123]

Thanks for all the information, it really means a lot coming from somone who has been there.  I haven't gotten the a pump yet but plan to get the one you have - Medela Pump in Style.  They got a new one out I think it is the advance, it is about $40 more I think - $319 .  I plan to spend the money because it is going to be worth so my baby can have my milk.  Just hope it I produce enough.  Should I buy the pump now or wait?

[DollChina]

Cutie, thanks for asking, I no longer nurse since Gavin just doesn't have the attention span to nurse.  I just pump a little out when I can't stand it anymore and it's going well.  I also heard that some babies' eczema get better after they are weaned so I am crossing my fingers.
I don't think the Zoloft is kicking in yet, I am still talking half of a 50mg pill until Wed, then I will take a whole one.  It makes me kind of tired.  I have high hopes of this med.  I really hope I will feel better soon.  Did you tell me you are on the same?  
Dolly

[DollChina]

I would wait until after you precious baby is born next week.  That way, you will know if nursing will work out for you before you go out and spend all that money.

[kris123]

I would give the med a little more time.  I remember when I was on Zoloft it took a good three weeks to kick in.  I am on my way to the dr myself Thurs. for him to change my meds so I won't get depressed after I have  my baby.  I am on one now that knocks me out at night - it helps me sleep.  I am going to switch so i can be alert for my baby.  We can both learn to sleep through the night at the same time?  Good luck with everything - again thanks for the info.  I hope everything works out with your parents too!!  

[DollChina]

Good luck to you too.  Is this your 1st baby?  I forgot, there are so many stories here.
Did you just wake up and feel different one day?  Sometimes, I feel like I am just paranoid and I don't really have anxiety?  Am I weird?  

[kris123]

This is my second child.  I have an 11 year old daughter that will be turning 12 in Oct.  I know what a gap between the two.  I had her at 17 and I'm now 29.  I didn't breastfeed with her - I should have.  I had no idea what I was doing back then and I still think to myself how am I going to do it this time :-)  

As for the med.  I guess I felt better gradually with the full effect about three weeks later.  I guess the first three weeks I would still cry, have a bunch of anger, and then by like the third week most of it was gone.  I still had my days.   You will wake up one day and feel great and be like wow how could I have ever felt like that.  I am not on that med now but on another one and I tell you when it started to work I thought to myself how could I ever have felt like that and why did I ever cry like I did.  Remember you still will have your days and that is normal.  It is not normal to cry everyday and if your not eating then something is wrong.  

[Me2mommy2b]

Hey, Dolly.  How are you feeling?  I would wean Gavin one feeding at a time.  I also heard that there is no difference between brand name and the generic ones.  I use Nestle Good Start Soy and the next bottle I buy will be either Parent's choice or the Target brand.  How are you doing these days?  Any better?  

[DollChina]

Wow, we are the same age!  You will have a great helper once your baby is born.
I haven't cried for a few days but I have my "triggers".  I just worry, the more I worry, the deeper the hole gets.  You know what I mean?  I went to a baby shower yesterday and there are many women there, and I felt anxious and uncomforatble.  I am never like that.  Did I tell you my mom slipped and fell last Thur, she doesn't have ins and I about to have a nervous break down. I think I am better.  My best friend moved back home and that helps a lot.  My doc told me I just have WAY too many new things and issues happening in your life.

[DollChina]

I miss you girl.  Where have you been?  I weaning him completely because Gavin is really not all that interested.  I was pumping 4 times and now maybe 2 times and pump just enough.
I have a bunch a Good Start coupon so I am trying that first then I will probably try the Parent's Choice.  I like the PC's wipes.
Not sure if you've read my posts last week.  I am having a hard time but I am trying to stay positive and things will get better.
How's Ariella?  Milestone?

[Me2mommy2b]

Hi, I read your post a few days after you posted.  I hope you're feeling better soon.  If you read my post further up, I posted about Ariella being VERY cranky.  She's non stop!  I know she's teething but we're all feeling the pain (if you know what I mean).  She's trying to stand on her own already.  She can't wait to grow up.  

[DollChina]

I love Avent and I tried Smoothie as well and Gavin didn't like that.  I would try Avent first.  Do you have an electric pump?  If you plan on pumping at work, you need to have one.  Mine is Medela Pump in Style, couldn't live without it.

Good luck next week and keep us posted.

[DollChina]

Hey, Gavin was real cranky too when he was teething and I got some Gentle Natural teething drop and it really helped him.  The Oralgel stuff didn't do a thing.
Gavin really likes to stand too.  
Is Ariella eating more foods now?

[Me2mommy2b]

Ariella has 2 veggies and 1 fruit in addition to the formula.  She loves veggies but is not too fond of fruits (weird kid, usually it's the other way around).  Last night DH and I were talking and Ariella pulled herself up from sitting and stood up all by herself!!  We were shocked! LOL...Btw, I posted again today about me possibly being pregnant (ouch).  I don't know what I'll do if I am....(sigh)